Tag Archives: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. As I have been on Spring Break, I have no student photos to share. Instead, here is my gorgeous morning view as I read and had coffee at the place we rented in San Francisco.

And a little more bleak – an empty shelf in the library on Alcatraz.

#classroombookaday titles allowed us to explore endangered animals and human actions both positive and alarming.

Classroom Highlights

I do have to share some amazing photos of our school wide day of play on the last day of school before the break. The theme in my room was building. But often I found that the books called to little builders and the theme became reading. 🙂

If you have read this book, then you know. It is a must own, must gift, must share title. If you haven’t read it yet . . . go! Find a copy!

I Am Enough by Grace Byers with pictures by Keturah A. Bobo

Beautiful message. Full of joy. Just loved the illustrations. Another title that would make a wonderful gift book.

The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Keufler

A testament to the power and beauty of nature. A sweet little book about an unexpected friendship.

Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee with illustrations by Man One

Such an interesting story of how Roy Choi and a friend opened a food truck serving Korean tacos and their rise to popularity. The illustrations are so unique.

Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima

Oh little Harriet, what a girl you are! Everyday costume wearing Harriet has quite the adventure when she heads to the shops with her dads in search of party hats.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I so rarely read adult novels but I kept seeing this title everywhere. I was quickly pulled into the many layered story lines.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Yes! This title was every bit as compelling as The War That Saved my Life. Sometimes sequels are immensely satisfying. This is absolutely the case here. Ada is a character I will never forget.

The Key to Everything by Pat Schmatz

I got my hands on an ARC of this book and was excited as I had really loved Schmatz’s Bluefish. This one was not so memorable. I enjoyed parts of it but it just didn’t come together.

Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart

I am just going to say it – this is one strange book. Which is not a bad thing. In fact, it is quite a good thing. Not at all what I was expecting and quite like nothing I have ever read. High energy, fast paced and wonderfully endearing.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Wow. Just, wow.

Daisy Dreamer and the Totally True Imaginary Friend by Holly Anna

There are so many titles about imaginary friends and magical elements to real life events in the transitional chapter book market. I think this is a book my students will enjoy and will likely get the next few in the series.

Up next? I am pages away from finishing The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

As I do every year, I compiled a favourites list. This year it includes 9 picture books and 6 novels. Favourites of 2015

Books I loved:

Picture books:

Stella Brings the Family written by Miriam B. Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown

An inclusive solution to inviting “someone special” to a special day party.

Winter is Coming written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Jim LaMarche

I reserve a really huge place of awe in my picture book heart for illustrator Jim LaMarche. This book is absolutely stunning. Ode to a season. Honouring nature. Celebrating quiet and focus and wonder. I had to buy this book.

Wait by Antoinette Portis

The simplicity of stopping to “be” with all that is around us. So very lovely.

Marguerite’s Christmas written by India Desjardins and illustrated by Pascal Blanchet

This was the one holiday book I purchased this Christmas. The illustrations are from another time and place. The story is about Marguerite and her quiet life that shifts a little one Christmas Eve. Loved this book.

Novels:

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Twelve year old Grayson is navigating middle grade friendships, the grief of losing his parents and the fact that, while born male, he feels female. A school play and an inspiring teacher provide opportunities for risk, change and understanding. A solid middle grade read.

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki with illustrations by Jillian Tamaki

A YA graphic novel about summer places, family changes and all of the awkward and in between of sliding into adolescence.

The True Blue Scouts of SugarMan Swamp by Kathy Appelt

I will admit I worried as I began to read this title. Appelt’s The Underneath was just too mythical/magical/spirtual for me. So at certain early on points, I worried. But the balance between Chap’s story and the racoon scouts, soon pulled me in to this beautiful tale.

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

I loved everything about Stella – her courage, her determination, her devotion to family and her journey as a writer. A book about some hard and ugly things (racism and prejudice) with lots of beautiful people to bring us hope.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart

Whoa. A start and don’t put down until done book. Dog as hero. Boy with the weight of the world. Honest truths are the hardest because we don’t often tell them. Beautifully told. Absolutely gripping.

The War That Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

I love historical fiction when it is really well done – when the story is enhanced by a time and a setting that literally transports you. In this book, well done is left in the dust. This is excellent writing, an incredible story rich with complex characters living in challenging circumstances. This novel twists from the ugly cruelty of abuse to the powerful healing of connection. It offers up hope and courage mixed with lots of pain. One of the best novels I have read in some time.

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 70/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 447/415 books read COMPLETE!

#MustReadin2015: 18/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 78/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 50/50 books read COMPLETE!

This is the final #IMWAYR posts of 2015. Happy New Year and Happy Reading to this wonderfully generous community of book lovers. Like many of you, I will miss the participation of the passionate reader, educator and blogger Debbie Alvarez (Styling Librarian) who passed away last week after a three year battle with cancer. Debbie was one of the first bloggers to welcome me when I dove into sharing my reading life in the blogging world. I learned much by sharing with her and I will miss our book conversations.

Oh, this list. 15 of my favourite fiction titles. I started putting this together in early December and have changed it numerous times. Reading new books shifted things. Revisiting favourites and loving them even more shifted things. I was switching books on and off until moments before I hit publish.

The 15 books that made the final cut? They spoke to my heart. Sometimes happy. Sometimes hopeful. Sometimes with sorrow. But they all spoke deeply.

15 books and no more than 15 words of raving. This was my challenge last year with my Favourites of 2014 (14 books, 14 words) In 2013, it was Favourites of 2013 (13 books, 13 words) and in 2012 (12 books, 12 words) with my 2012 Favourites. Each year, I get one more book and one more word to play with!

These picture books are both beautiful and in need of many rereads. I love each of them more each time I read them and read to children? Well . . . they certainly do their picture book magic thing.